hi all i have an almost-16m.o. boy who isnt walking yet. if we hold his hands he can walk but hes still very unsteady, even when we are holding him. is there something we can do to help him? i know sometimes they can be up to 18 months before they walk, but im just trying to help him.

and why do people have to be so judgmental when they find out he doesnt walk yet??

oh and i should note that he was *technically* a "preemie" but only 35 weeks. (a 'late-term' preemie, as the ped said). he hit all his other milestones on time, but then didnt even crawl until after his first birthday. and he crawls with one leg folded underneath him. should i be concerned about that? im such a worry-wart.

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Sara - loving wife to Joe
and mommy to Nicolas born 2/3/09 at 35 weeks, and our new addition, due 5/5/13!

What has your doctor said about this? Would an evaluation by a physical therapist be an option for you at this point? I have a friend back home whose daughter was sent to a physical therapist at 13 months because her doctor thought there was a good reason she wasn't walking. The physical therapist was able to do a lot, and she was walking very well within a couple months of beginning physical therapy.

Of course, there's also a great chance there's nothing at all wrong, and he'll walk when he feels like walking. It's not unheard of. Even if that's what it is, I'd probably go ahead and ask the pediatrician just to be on the safe side. I would probably be worried, too, but that's just how I am.

Hi! My DD was the same, born at 35 weeks and all. She did start walking at 15 months but I did get the looks "oh she's not walking yet!?" Sorry, it sucks when people are so judgemental, especially other moms!! anyway her ped recommended her to Early On- they help evaluate your child and give you tips on things you can do to help them with devolopmental issues. Maybe you could see if they have one in your area... I ended up not needing them because she started walking a few days after making an appt with them! lol other than that I can only suggest walking with him as much as possible and playing games to try and get him to take steps on his own. That's all I did and I think it just comes down to they will do it when they feel like it! It's common for our premies to be a little behind if he's met other milestones, like my DD, don't worry it will happen mama... GL

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My DS (37 weeker) did not walk until 16 months. By that point he knew more than 40 words and used phrases, so it seemed strange to a lot of people that this very talkative toddler was still crawling. Our pedi said that as long as he was walking by 18 months they were not concerned. If he got to 18 months and was still not walking they would have him evaluated by birth to 3 services.

My DD will be 15 months next week. She can technically walk, but she prefers to crawl still. She was a little slow with everything, she was a 35 weeker too. I get looks, but my doctor keeps telling me she's fine and not to worry so I'll listen to him.

My son (born at 35.5 weeks) didn't walk until 15.5 months. He preferred to crawl. He wasn't a pro at walking until 16 ish months. He crawled around 9ish months on his belly. Never got up off the ground until he was more than a year.

He's 22 months now, and running! He can also talk much better than the other boys his age around here. Not sure why, but we're proud of him!

My DS (37 weeker) did not walk until 16 months. By that point he knew more than 40 words and used phrases, so it seemed strange to a lot of people that this very talkative toddler was still crawling. Our pedi said that as long as he was walking by 18 months they were not concerned. If he got to 18 months and was still not walking they would have him evaluated by birth to 3 services.

That's funny, Nicolas is very talkative already too!! He has at least 10-15 words. And he's very expressive when he's talking to us.

I suppose he's focusing on being social for now

__________________

Sara - loving wife to Joe
and mommy to Nicolas born 2/3/09 at 35 weeks, and our new addition, due 5/5/13!